Bartman

I think it is a gearing issue – that and traction. I would think that the diameter of the drive wheels affects the performance of a vehicle the same way that changing the gears in a transmission or rear end would. So let’s just say that the gearing of a vehicle is determined based by the automotive engineers on the horsepower of that vehicle. If you add performance modifications that horsepower figure is now higher and the vehicle may be ‘over geared’. Now you add larger diameter wheels and you may be able to increase your performance by effectively bringing the gearing back down.

I was just thinking that before I installed my 18x8.5 fronts and 18x9.5 rears I was running 17x7's all around. Too bad I sold my old wheels, but it would be interesting if I could test the diference between my 18's against 17's similar to the way John mentioned on the BMW on an autoX track.

Yes aesthetics are subjective, but don’t continually try to argue that there are no upsides to them and that they can’t make a car faster or handle better – because they obviously can. If you don’t like them fine, but there is evidence that they do increase performance so don’t discount proof that opposes your viewpoint. John posted specific proof that indicates performance gains from larger diameter wheels, and I’m sure there are other similar results as well. I think that ignoring the fact that all performance vehicles of late have larger diameter wheels, or claiming that it’s simply because of aesthetics and not performance, is just displaying an inability to accept the possibility that larger diameter wheels are a viable performance option for high horsepower vehicles – especially ones that have other performance modifications.

No one is still addressing my question, and it's not just looks and SUVs. Manufacturers continue to increase the diameter of wheels on performance vehicles. I did a search and found that a 2009 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano has 19" diameter wheels on the front and 20" diameter wheels on the back. This car is all about performance so if it would perform better with smaller diameter rims it would come with them from the factory. I'm also not talking about the aftermarket here which generally favors upgrading wheel sizes. Here's a site that talks about aftermarket reasons for getting 'plus fitments': http://www.toyo.com.au/tech_info8.htm I think that as horsepower increases brake and wheel sizes can correspondingly increase as well. Since I probably have 3 or 4 times the horsepower my car had when it was stock, I think that running 18s isn't unreasonable. For those people that don't like it, I don't really care. I already have enough people that don't like that I have a Chevy V8 in my car - so get in the back of the line.

do you have the FSM for the LS1 donor car? That's where the info you need would be located.

Now that looks serious!

I didn't know you were running a 4 inch thick radiator. Do you have any pic's and more informtion on the model? I'm always looking for ways to get mine to run a little cooler, which is difficult when it gets hot out here and I run my AC.

Well I guess all the newer cars out there got it wrong. Daeron, you need to share your wisdom about 'polar moment of inertia' with them so they can start upgrading to smaller diameter wheels. The reality is that many of the sport models or sport options on certain models include larger diameter wheels than the non-sport models. If smaller diameter wheels have all the advantages, then why are tire makers stoping production of smaller diameter tires and why do manufacturers keep upgrading to larger diameter wheels?

Side skirts don't give you any extra inches at all. The bottom of the side skirt is at the same level as the bottom of the stock sill; although I'll admit it may make the car appear to be lower. For the most part you can make the car just as low with 18s as 16s or 17s, the real issue is the overall diameter with the tire installed. As was stated you don't really need this size for brake clearance either. It just boils down to personal preferences and tire availability. It's getting harder and harder to find good performance tires for smaller rims.

I don't think its the locks. Read this thread that discusses the 'door slamming' issue: http://forums.hybridz.org/index.php?/topic/36105-fixed-the-door-slaming-issue

I found 1970-1978 Door Strikers on eBay and wondered if anyone knows anything about them or this seller. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1970-1978-Datsun-240Z-260Z-280Z-Door-Strikers-2-pcs_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem53df75dd6aQQitemZ360231329130QQptZOtherQ5fVehicleQ5fParts Like many others, I have problems closing my doors and I was thinking new strikers might help. Edit: It looks like there are several sellers with these same strikers on eBay. I haven't seen these before, I wonder if they're any good.

I'm running 18's, but under stock fenders.

If the LS1 is anything like my LT1 it will be difficult to integrate a different AC system into the harness/PCM. I wanted to do it on my LT1 to allow the idle speed to increase when the system is on, but the PCM won't increase the idle speed unless several criteria are met including evaporator temperature and system pressure values. You can find the specific information required in the Factory Service Manual.

Okay It looks like I figured it out. You start with the pull down menu at the top of the page labelled with your logon name. Go to 'my settings' and then select 'View/Posting/Email Prefs' from the 'Forums' menu. Now you can select to receive emails. After this you need to go to 'Manage Watched Topics' and select everything and change it to the type of email preference you want (and/or Manage Watched Forums'). Ihope this helps someone else.

Can you help out the rest of us...I still haven't been able to receive emails for my subscribed threads.

I just spoke with Raceonusa and they are in the process of sending their molds overseas to help reduce costs. If you want one now, you can still call them and get one made before the molds are sent out. Once they're shipped it will take a while before they start making them again.

I like aero with early chrome 240Z style bumpers.

These may be cheap kits, but I couldn't disagree more with your 'you get what you pay for' statement. So if he paid $200 for this same kit, would it be better? Paying more doesn't always mean your getting something better.

Yes, the installation is super easy.

Initially I just massaged the strut tower too, but eventually I had to actually modify the mount itself to prevent contact under some conditions.

Good luck on the project. I'm using the Bower's kit and having A/C is great. One of the benefits I didn't count on was the ability to keep those dreaded Z fumes out of the car by using the A/C and keeping the windows up.

So I got my carpet kit and installed it last weekend. Here's my explanation for the extra pieces. I think the kit is acutally an 11 piece kit once the installation is complete. The entire kit consists of 13 pieces with two sets of carpets that go behind the seats. Most carpet kits have different sets for different year S30's where this kit does not. I think the difference is in these pieces that fit behind the seats and allows users to use the appropirate pieces for their installation.

I got a reply back from Ben. He's not sure, but could it be a cover for the vertical cardboard panels just forward of the doors?

I ordered the same kit, and I should be receiving it soon. I sent a link to the eBay seller to see if he can answer the question. Maybe he can tell us exactly what all thirteen pieces are. Joel, it looks like your pic only shows eleven pieces.

I'm running 275's on 18x9.5 wheels on the rear of my car without any fender flares. I don't know how much extra clearance regular flares give you, but if it's at least 2.5" you should be able to make it work.